Premier downhill trail adjacent to the Nebo Loop in Payson Canyon. This is a great way to finish off any ride up Payson Canyon if you have a shuttle. The fun stuff (downhill) starts where the Blackhawk Trail crosses the road to Blackhawk Campground. There is one significant section of uphill, but other than that you'll have (at least) 7 miles of downhill singletrack back to the Bennie Creek Day Use Area.

User Reviews (2)

Showing 1-2 of 2

djbushidoman Downhiller [Oct 18, 2010]

This is one of the most fun downhill trails in Utah County. I would say this is a mid level intermediate ride. There are a few sections that can be hairy, but can easily be navigated by getting off the bike if needed. If you want to experience the best of this trail try it out once, and bomb down each time thereafter. It is a great trail to get a good rush out of! One word of caution: Don't go on this trail after a significant storm, or if wet conditions exist. The area gets extremely muddy and can flood easily, making for a miserable ride. There are a couple good options as where to begin.

The longer version begins at the Blackhawk Campground turn-off. Turn onto the road that leads to the campground and park in the first dirt pull off. Cross the road and go down between the trees for a fun section of downhill. You then get to a couple small sections of uphill where the second hill can be a little brutal for riders not in peak condition. At the top of this hill is a fork, if you go left you end up at the rock springs camping area, which can be used as an alternate starting point. Going right at the fork will give you a short xc/mild downhill experience before dropping into the complete Bennie Creek downhill plunge. Everything up to this point is not very technical and most any skill level will be fine on this trail.

The pure downhill route starts at the loafer mountain trail parking area just before Payson Lakes. The first third of the descent from this point is simple, yet has fun obstacles for advanced riders, and banking turns perfect for picking up speed. The second third gets rocky and has some steep dirt descents that you probably wouldn't want a beginner trying to go down (They can hike this though). A rider that feels comfortable with steep areas where you will still slide down with brakes applied shouldn't have any issues with this area as there are nice soft banks and easy turns. The last third or so is the most fun. The trail is smooth with occasional stumps/rocks,small drops a a series of switchbacks. You can pick up some good speed and cruise down the mountain. You will end up at the parking area for the Grotto Trailhead.

For both of these, park your bottom shuttle at the Bennie Creek pull out next to the Grotto Trail.

Customer Service

For strictly downhill I recommend starting either at the Loafer Mtn. Trailhead or near the rock springs camping area. If you do the latter you will need to bike downhill on the road a few hundred yards. The trail will be on the right if you are going down on the bike.

Similar Products Used: You can also bike down the road after coming out of Bennie Creek. Go until you get to the big 'S' curves and there is some off road trails. Get back on the road and go through the entrance of Maple Dell Scout Camp. Go up by the lake and stick to the right, there is a trail that goes up the mountain and follows a pipeline. There are lots of whoops, and little jumps that make for a rowdy downhill session. You will end up at a large meadow. You can also park your lower shuttle here as well so you can extend the Bennie Creek trail.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

djbushidoman Downhiller

[Oct 18, 2010]

This is one of the most fun downhill trails in Utah County. I would say this is a mid level intermediate ride. There are a few sections that can be hairy, but can easily be navigated by getting off the bike if needed. If you want to experience the best of this trail try it out once, and bomb down each time thereafter. It is a great trail to get a good rush out of! One word of caution: Don't go on this trail after a significant storm, or if wet conditions exist. The area gets extremely muddy and can flood easily, making for a miserable ride. There are a couple good options as where to begin.

The longer version begins at the Blackhawk Campground turn-off. Turn onto the road that leads to the campground and park in the first dirt pull off. Cross the road and go down between the trees for a fun section of downhill. You then get to a couple small sections of uphill where the second hill can be a little brutal for riders not in peak condition. At the top of this hill is a fork, if you go left you end up at the rock springs camping area, which can be used as an alternate starting point. Going right at the fork will give you a short xc/mild downhill experience before dropping into the complete Bennie Creek downhill plunge. Everything up to this point is not very technical and most any skill level will be fine on this trail.

The pure downhill route starts at the loafer mountain trail parking area just before Payson Lakes. The first third of the descent from this point is simple, yet has fun obstacles for advanced riders, and banking turns perfect for picking up speed. The second third gets rocky and has some steep dirt descents that you probably wouldn't want a beginner trying to go down (They can hike this though). A rider that feels comfortable with steep areas where you will still slide down with brakes applied shouldn't have any issues with this area as there are nice soft banks and easy turns. The last third or so is the most fun. The trail is smooth with occasional stumps/rocks,small drops a a series of switchbacks. You can pick up some good speed and cruise down the mountain. You will end up at the parking area for the Grotto Trailhead.

For both of these, park your bottom shuttle at the Bennie Creek pull out next to the Grotto Trail.

Customer Service: For strictly downhill I recommend starting either at the Loafer Mtn. Trailhead or near the rock springs camping area. If you do the latter you will need to bike downhill on the road a few hundred yards. The trail will be on the right if you are going down on the bike.

Similar Products Used:
You can also bike down the road after coming out of Bennie Creek. Go until you get to the big 'S' curves and there is some off road trails. Get back on the road and go through the entrance of Maple Dell Scout Camp. Go up by the lake and stick to the right, there is a trail that goes up the mountain and follows a pipeline. There are lots of whoops, and little jumps that make for a rowdy downhill session. You will end up at a large meadow. You can also park your lower shuttle here as well so you can extend the Bennie Creek trail.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

rpalmer Cross Country Rider [Aug 04, 2010]

I have indicated "Ridden Once" under "How often do you ride this trail" but believe me, I will be back. This is special stuff! My experience was rather unique though, because it began raining on me halfway through the ride. I didn't have a shuttle available, so I parked at the Bennie Creek Day Use Area off the Nebo Loop and rode up the road. By the time I heard the thunder I was already 4 miles up toward Blackhawk Campground. Then the rain started, and it was heavy. As I was riding through the rain, a couple of bikers passed me coming down and warned me not to try Bennie Creek Trail because it had flash-flooded. Well, I had to see it for myself. So I got up to Blackhawk (7 miles uphill, I do not recommend this unless you are crazy like me) and started downhill, not realizing that the soil in this area is extremely loose and nasty stuff when it is wet. I bogged down even in steep downhill areas and had to push my bike along. Not fun, but I could tell it would be if it was dry. It took me almost an hour to get to the Bennie Creek section of the trail (about 3 miles). Then it got good. From the intersection with Loafer Mountain Trail, the singletrack is butter-smooth with nicely banked curves and stunts built alongside the trail for all skill levels. It crosses a couple of drainages and in parts it is really steep, but all rideable. It goes on for what seems like forever before finally dumping you out onto the Nebo Loop with a big goofy smile all over your face because that was SICK.

Customer Service

Ride something up near Blackhawk Campground, like the Blackhawk Trail or Rock Springs, with a second vehicle at the Bennie Creek parking area about 7 miles up from the entrance to Payson Canyon. Ride whatever you were going to ride up at the top, and end it with a shot down Bennie Creek. That would be the ideal way to ride this trail. OR like me you could ride up the road to Blackhawk for a long loop ride.

Similar Products Used: Blackhawk Trail, Rock Springs Trail

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

rpalmer Cross Country Rider

[Aug 04, 2010]

I have indicated "Ridden Once" under "How often do you ride this trail" but believe me, I will be back. This is special stuff! My experience was rather unique though, because it began raining on me halfway through the ride. I didn't have a shuttle available, so I parked at the Bennie Creek Day Use Area off the Nebo Loop and rode up the road. By the time I heard the thunder I was already 4 miles up toward Blackhawk Campground. Then the rain started, and it was heavy. As I was riding through the rain, a couple of bikers passed me coming down and warned me not to try Bennie Creek Trail because it had flash-flooded. Well, I had to see it for myself. So I got up to Blackhawk (7 miles uphill, I do not recommend this unless you are crazy like me) and started downhill, not realizing that the soil in this area is extremely loose and nasty stuff when it is wet. I bogged down even in steep downhill areas and had to push my bike along. Not fun, but I could tell it would be if it was dry. It took me almost an hour to get to the Bennie Creek section of the trail (about 3 miles). Then it got good. From the intersection with Loafer Mountain Trail, the singletrack is butter-smooth with nicely banked curves and stunts built alongside the trail for all skill levels. It crosses a couple of drainages and in parts it is really steep, but all rideable. It goes on for what seems like forever before finally dumping you out onto the Nebo Loop with a big goofy smile all over your face because that was SICK.

Customer Service: Ride something up near Blackhawk Campground, like the Blackhawk Trail or Rock Springs, with a second vehicle at the Bennie Creek parking area about 7 miles up from the entrance to Payson Canyon. Ride whatever you were going to ride up at the top, and end it with a shot down Bennie Creek. That would be the ideal way to ride this trail. OR like me you could ride up the road to Blackhawk for a long loop ride.